Biomaterial Database

A K+-selective, three-state channel from fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum of frog leg muscle. 1981

P P Labarca, and C Miller

Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles from frog leg muscle were fused with a planar phospholipid bilayer by a method described previously for rabbit SR. As a result of the fusion, K+-selective conduction channels are inserted into the bilayer. Unlike the two-state rabbit channel, the frog channel displays three states: a nonconducting ("closed") state and two conducting states "alpha" and "beta". In 0.1 M K+ the single-channel conductances are 50 and 150 pS for alpha and beta, respectively. The probabilities of appearance of the three states are voltage-dependent, and transitions between the closed and beta states proceed through the alpha state. Both open states follow a quantitatively identical selectivity sequence in channel conductance: K+ greater than NH4+ greater than Rb+ greater than Na+ greater than Li+ greater than Cs+. Both open states are blocked by Cs+ asymmetrically in a voltage-dependent manner. The zero-voltage dissociation constant for blocking is the same for both open states, but the voltage-dependences of the Cs+ block for the two states differ in a way suggesting that the Cs+ blocking site is located more deeply inside the membrane in the beta than in the alpha state.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007473	Ion Channels	Gated, ion-selective glycoproteins that traverse membranes. The stimulus for ION CHANNEL GATING can be due to a variety of stimuli such as LIGANDS, a TRANSMEMBRANE POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE, mechanical deformation or through INTRACELLULAR SIGNALING PEPTIDES AND PROTEINS.	Membrane Channels,Ion Channel,Ionic Channel,Ionic Channels,Membrane Channel,Channel, Ion,Channel, Ionic,Channel, Membrane,Channels, Ion,Channels, Ionic,Channels, Membrane
D007866	Leg	The inferior part of the lower extremity between the KNEE and the ANKLE.	Legs
D008051	Lipid Bilayers	Layers of lipid molecules which are two molecules thick. Bilayer systems are frequently studied as models of biological membranes.	Bilayers, Lipid,Bilayer, Lipid,Lipid Bilayer
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D011892	Rana catesbeiana	A species of the family Ranidae (true frogs). The only anuran properly referred to by the common name "bullfrog", it is the largest native anuran in North America.	Bullfrog,Bullfrogs,Rana catesbeianas,catesbeiana, Rana
D002463	Cell Membrane Permeability	A quality of cell membranes which permits the passage of solvents and solutes into and out of cells.	Permeability, Cell Membrane
D002586	Cesium	A member of the alkali metals. It has an atomic symbol Cs, atomic number 55, and atomic weight 132.91. Cesium has many industrial applications, including the construction of atomic clocks based on its atomic vibrational frequency.	Caesium,Caesium-133,Cesium-133,Caesium 133,Cesium 133
D004553	Electric Conductivity	The ability of a substrate to allow the passage of ELECTRONS.	Electrical Conductivity,Conductivity, Electric,Conductivity, Electrical
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012519	Sarcoplasmic Reticulum	A network of tubules and sacs in the cytoplasm of SKELETAL MUSCLE FIBERS that assist with muscle contraction and relaxation by releasing and storing calcium ions.	Reticulum, Sarcoplasmic,Reticulums, Sarcoplasmic,Sarcoplasmic Reticulums